Playing The Latest Numbers

The roster has grown and now includes numbers 4 and 5! This is quite a commendable tally especially when one considers the seeds that needed sowing with such care before any reaping could occur. It is definitely reaping time now and yet again the dilemma will be in how you cope with a double harvest when your 'farming' time is so limited. Although I dislike excuses and normally would not recommend that you give in to storytelling, under these specific circumstances you may want to try the old " sorry but I have a plane to catch, I'm off to Spain and will soon be running with the bulls", so I really do need to keep this meeting brief..........................
I am quite sure that this will work.

Bon Voyage!!!

The New Frontier

You may think that you are standing at a precipice because it suddenly feels as though you are on the verge of tumbling head first right into the abyss if you take a wrong step. There are no maps to follow (not covered on Mapquest) so basically you believe that you are totally on your own but this could not be farther from the truth. Just because a physical presence is absent does not mean that you have been left high and dry. You need only summon the essence of the one who has left or those you have left, and when you do, you will step right back into the very aura you think has evaporated. If you have reason to lament a farewell, then you have the power to bring back precisely those 'things' you are so certain you will miss. Granted, their states will be greatly altered but they will nevertheless have the ability to give you what you need when you most need it.You will find that each journey taken, is only partially like an expedition to a new and unfamiliar frontier. Each time you venture forth, you will be armed with all those 'things' you have lived, learned and loved on your previous voyages so the more you travel, the more goodbyes you have to say, the stronger you become. Humility is what feeds our sense of trepidation and reluctance for change even as we know deep down that almost every change is for the best. There are reasons for everything and that includes why people's circles interconnect. Once you determine that those mysteriously special connections NEVER disconnect, you will move steadily along your next path with barely a tear or a backward glance, you don't even have to say goodbye again.

The New Guy

We met our incoming head honcho today and he seems just fine. Everyone has more or less calmed down yet there is still a deep dark shade of blue that has invaded our workplace. We are so clearly experiencing that little known but powerful phenomenon known as workplace angst. It has become apparent that we are not simply losing our boss, we are actually losing a very unusual man who has managed to guide us not by weilding the power of his title, but by offering to share his expertise and knowledge as well as his friendship. When you have the incredible good fortune of working with a person who makes you a vital part of the daily work routine, you are not surprisingly reluctant to see him go but you are inspired to try really hard to handle this tremendous upheaval in order to make his departure as painless for him as possible. Knowing that he leaves behind him shoes that at best can be described as verrrrry large, you can only hope that the new "kid" on the block has flexible feet which will after a certain time, grow to be a near perfect fit for the shoes of a master!.

The Last Dance

Although I love music and dancing I am a far better listener that I am a dancer unless you count the Cha Cha. Once a year at our pre-summer dinner dance I get to kick up my old heels and thanks to an impeccable partner, I actually look like a real dancer. My partner is such an incredible dancer that all eyes focus on him and by osmosis the few that shift their gaze in my direction are totally fooled into believing that I am on the same level as he is. I however know the truth and that is that my dancing is very much like the emperor's new clothes; simply not there! My partner for these past 4 years has been my boss and when we began our once a year ritual, it was because I didn't know how to politely refuse without looking like a complete chicken so I tried hard to overcome what I knew to be the fear of showing my colleagues how bad a dancer I really am. Once I conquered my demons, I found that there could be joy where I had least expected it. I will always be grateful for this unexpected gift, and tonight after our last dance, I have to admit that this is yet another thing I will miss when he goes.

The Transfer

What do you do when you return from two days away from work to find that your boss is to be transferred? The thing is, do you do the generous/generic "right" thing when you respond as in "good for you every change is a good change", or in a case where you actually LIKE your boss do you give in to the strong urge to break into loud sobbing and wallow in self pity under a cloud of dark thoughts? Maybe the powers that be have designed these transfers to weed out the weak and if this is true, the transfer thus becomes a barometer by which YOUR abilities are to be assessed: will employee "X" be able to handle this change or crack under the pressure that comes with breaking in a new administrator? If the transfer is not necessarily something you wanted to see happen, then for self-preservation purposes it is most likely that you will have to do the best acting job of your life. Considering that you must maintain at least the appearance of strength and control you will choose to smile and say all the normal things you are expected to say like: "of course it will be odd to come into work everyday and see a STRANGER in your office", or perhaps you'll go with the old "this place will never be the same once you leave" , or the often used "that's great news I wish you all the best in your new location". You will never reveal what you are really thinking because that just wouldn't be professional would it? How bad would you look if you threw yourself at his/her knees and begged them to stay? How crazy would it sound if you said that you can't see how you will ever again feel as good about going to work as you do when he/she runs the show? You will simply have to get a grip and stop being so selfish. When you understand that your boss wants this transfer which brings him/her closer to home and family you will simply have to say "thanks": for all the years of generous leadership and unlimited support, for always trying to make things better, for affording us so many opportunities to learn and finally, you will say thanks for being our fearless leader.

The Resurrection

Numbers one and three have risen again so it's back to the mixed grab bag for our fearless dater. Number One however has undergone a name change and will from now on be known as Sparky, while Number Three retains her original moniker! How now will our dating hero make his ultimate decision? Will any bamboo be involved? It is hoped that he will be at least a bit cautious where Sparky is concerned, and more flexible with Number Three. For now the score is Sparky two points, won on Saturday, the universal date night, over dinner and a romantic stroll? which may just be a sign that the tides have turned and you are back in like Flynn, while Number Three waits patiently? for her day in the sun (and her points)not at all aware that she just may have already become one of the fish on the salmon run. Only time and the upcoming birthday will tell how she fares in her upstream battle. Will sparks fly on the 19th? Will green be the colour du jour? Stay tuned and Happy Birthday.

I'm Going Fishing!

After hearing the joys of fishing extolled via a myriad of descriptors which always seem to be male generated, ( "the gentlemen's sport " ) I have decided to see what all the fuss is about or if in fact there really is anything to make a fuss over. I have been advised by a near pro fisherman that I must have a license, so I have secured one and as I write, my waders, rod,(staff!!!!) net and tackle box stand at the ready by the front door, I am sooo prepared. I do have one minor concern; I love to talk, sometimes too much and I wonder if my fishing crew will be as happy to have me in the stern of the boat once we get there. I suspect it takes a special fisherman to smile when he finds himself in the middle of a small lake surrounded by schools of fish and perhaps too many syllables. My 'rockin' fishing hat is not only going to keep the harmful rays at bay, but it is sure to be the perfect showcase for the new fishing pins that I just HAD to have. I may even decide to design and market a line of semi precious fishing ornaments for those discerning fishing lovers who have seen the wisdom in maintaining a jewelry fund!!